A record-setting batting spectacle at Centurion produced fireworks from both sides, but it was South Africa Women who emerged victorious after edging out Pakistan Women by 16 runs in the second ODI of the ICC Women’s Championship series. In a match where 706 runs were piled on across two innings, Annerie Dercksen’s standout all-round performance proved decisive in sealing the series for the hosts.
South Africa posted a formidable 361 for 8, powered by Dercksen’s blistering 90 off just 68 deliveries, before she returned to claim 3 for 59 with the ball. Pakistan responded bravely with 345, pushing the contest deep before falling just short in a pulsating chase.
Pakistan opted to field first, and the decision initially looked promising before South Africa’s top order settled quickly. Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt raced to 55 inside nine overs, setting an aggressive tone. While Wolvaardt and Faye Tunnicliffe departed in quick succession, Brits continued to dictate terms with a commanding 77 off 62 balls before falling in the 17th over.
From there, South Africa’s middle order took complete control. Sune Luus and Dercksen stitched together a vital 102-run partnership for the fourth wicket, anchoring the innings while maintaining momentum. Dercksen later accelerated alongside Chloe Tryon, with the pair adding 62 runs in just 31 balls for the sixth wicket. The late surge was capped by Nadine de Klerk, who smashed 49 off 26 balls, including a flurry of boundaries at the death, before being dismissed off the final delivery.
Alongside Dercksen’s 90, South Africa enjoyed strong contributions from Brits (77), Luus (57 off 67 balls) and Tryon (37 off 23). Amid the onslaught, Syeda Aroob Shah stood out for Pakistan with figures of 2 for 49 from her full quota of ten overs.
Chasing a steep target of 362, Pakistan refused to back down. Dercksen struck early, removing Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin within the first six overs, briefly tilting the balance heavily in South Africa’s favour. However, Sadaf Shamas and Ayesha Zafar mounted a crucial counterattack, adding 97 runs in 87 balls to revive the chase.
After Shamas fell for a well-compiled 61 off 62 balls, Zafar continued to anchor the innings, forging another important stand with Natalia Pervaiz. Her dismissal for 75 off 68 balls in the 30th over triggered a mini-collapse, with Aliya Riaz falling the very next ball. Despite being well placed at 197 after 30 overs, Pakistan had lost five wickets, a factor that would eventually hurt them.
Captain Fatima Sana then led a late resurgence, adding 81 runs in 65 balls for the seventh wicket with Aroob Shah. Sana’s aggressive 52 off 36 balls reignited hopes, but once she was dismissed, Pakistan found themselves chasing the game without a recognised top-order batter at the crease. Contributions from Aroob (40 off 44) and Diana Baig (38* off 25) kept the contest alive until the closing overs, but the required rate proved just out of reach.
The result handed South Africa an unassailable lead in the ODI series2-1, adding to their recent success against Pakistan following a 2-1 T20I series win. With momentum firmly on their side, the hosts will look to close out the tour strongly when the third and final ODI is played on Sunday in Durban.
